In the past year VAP has built further on its aim of supporting communities to become creative and the sustainability of creative practitioners within these communities by achieving sponsorship and funding to deliver our formerly yearly festival, Plymouth Art Weekender. This included nearly £20,000 of Arts Council England funding, and over £10,000 of investment from businesses and galleries in the city. We obtained funding from business sector partners in the city for the first time, such as British Land, meaning we have been able to develop new partnerships in the city. There was renewed enthusiasm for the festival after several years of it being on hiatus after the Covid-19 pandemic. This funding allowed us to create paid positions for 8 artists and creative practitioners, enabling us to put value back into the community. Plymouth Art Weekender took place between the 18-20th October 2024. This iteration of the festival saw 11,000 visits to 62 events across the 3-day festival, meaning that audiences were able to see the work of over 100 artist's’ work at their exhibitions and events. Since delivery in October 2024, residual ACE funding was used to hold consultation meetings to strategies the future of Visual Arts Plymouth CIC structure and program. This has helped us shape the next stage for the festival and line up partners, as well as keeping the organisation in touch with the community and audiences. The four key outcomes for PAW: 1.More opportunities for artists to develop, work, live & thrive in Plymouth. 2.Greater awareness & a celebration of the value of visual arts in the city & beyond. 3.A better-connected visual arts sector locally, nationally & internationally. 4.Increased engagement with a more inclusive, diverse & accessible visual arts environment. 2024-2025 has been a period of event-based activity as well as periods of planning and development for the future of the organisation for 2026 and beyond. This includes development of partnerships for possible investment in future iterations of the festival, and seeking out new directors and steering group members. Opportunities offered were: 1.Network development 2.Technical skills and experience: using recording equipment, transcribing 3.Transferable and soft skills, including confidence, interviewing skills, confidentiality and privacy, data protection, leadership skills, communication and time management. Our plan for 2025 is to collaborate with other institutions and organisations to secure the next point of delivery of the festival and seeking funding opportunities for Plymouth based artists to create funded projects and expand our programme of community engagement to encompass more audiences from a wider selection of the city. Due to operational issues with Arts Council England during 2025 discussions have been delayed regarding the rationalisation and possible restructuring encompassing other cultural entities for a more streamlined and efficient management and delivery.

The company’s stakeholders are our funding partners (Plymouth City Council and Plymouth Culture, Karst Gallery, NUDGE Community Builders, Plymouth Octopus Project and The Theatre Royal Plymouth) and the artists and art workers and wider community audiences of Plymouth. Post-PAW20 the stakeholders were contacted individually and questioned about what they thought was successful and what they would like to see happening as part of future PAWs and further programmes throughout the year, and importantly what support could be expected for VAP CIC in kind and financially. These consultations are ongoing. Many new partnerships include the Universities in Plymouth, the City Centre Company, British Land and National Gallery London. VAP CIC was active in the development of the new Culture Plan for Plymouth led by Plymouth Culture, and are in ongoing consultation in 2023-24 to identify where VAP CIC can support the realisation of the plan, and be supported in turn. VAP CIC are active network members of Visual Arts South West (VASW) and Contemporary Arts Membership Partners (CAMP). VAP Directors and artists were actively involved in planning and events connected with the British Art Show 9, which took place. The festival was made more accessible through virtual events. This will be continued/expanded even if we can do more face to face in the future. Communication with stakeholders continues and planning is for a biennial model for PAW, alternating annually with a wider arts festival to include words, music and performance.

No remuneration was received

No transfer of assets other than for full consideration